Columbia International University celebrated its 90th anniversary by making CIU history. For the first time, the CIU Rams entered intercollegiate men’s and women’s basketball with games against the Johnson University Royals of Knoxville, Tenn. on Nov. 2. The games capped off a 90th anniversary homecoming celebration at CIU.

The men won their inaugural game 113-97. The atmosphere was electric as fans packed the Moore Fitness Center to support the Rams.

Senior point guard and team captain Isaiah Reeves scored the first basket in program history, and went on to lead the team with 23 points and 9 assists.

Meanwhile, the women opened the double header with a loss to the Royals 67-40. Despite the defeat, women’s coach Tammy Holder was upbeat.

“I am so proud of the effort and intensity of this team,” Holder said. “It was an amazing atmosphere in which to play our first ever game and I believe our women gave it everything they had! It was a blessing for me to be a part of it all.”

The women were led by freshman Abigail Siemens scoring 18 points and pulling down 13 rebounds.